Hip-Hop and Wrestling Collide at Westside Gunn’s "Heels Have Eyes" at the UIC Forum
The Intersection of Music and Pro Wrestling
Hip-hop music’s influence on pro wrestling — believe it or not — goes back decades. When the New World Order (NWO) — one of wrestling’s most influential factions — became a cultural flashpoint featuring Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall, they utilized the phrase "4 Life," a riff off West Coast rapper Mack 10’s 1995 track, "For Life."
Westside Gunn’s "Fourth Rope" Wrestling Promotion
Buffalo, New York rapper Westside Gunn, who grew up an avid wrestling fan and a front-row fixture at many wrestling promotions, appears to have the gravitas—and, most importantly, the financial backing—to pull off "Fourth Rope," a wrestling promotion that’s aligned with his concert series "Heels Have Eyes," along with his new album "Still Praying."
The Event
The event, which took place last weekend at Chicago’s UIC Forum, featured musical performances from Dave East, Boldy James, DJ Premier, and Pete Rock. The in-ring portion of the event featured wrestling matches with TNA wrestlers Moose, Joe Hendry, Masha Slamovich, AJ Francis, Mike Santana, and Jordynne Grace, along with independent stars Zilla Fatu and Cha Cha Charlie.
Westside Gunn’s Vision
Phil Lindsey, a wrestling columnist for Bleacher Report and cohost of the "Grapsody" podcast, says Westside Gunn creating his own promotion was a long time coming.
"This just felt like the logical next step for him, in a lot of ways, because he was showing up at all the wrestling shows, and he was showing that he was a hardcore fan," said Lindsey. "And he had talked a lot about wanting to be acknowledged by some of these companies like WWE… it just felt like, for him, he wanted to be hands-on the wrestling more. And so this just felt like it was only a matter of time."
The Event’s Success
"Heels Have Eyes" was a rousing success. Westside Gunn successfully amalgamated his interests under one roof: his music, his wrestling fandom, and his keen fashion sense (the lines at shows to buy his merch are the stuff of legend).
Wrestling Personalities’ Reactions
Wrestling personalities involved were hyper-aware of the moment’s history by accurately describing hip-hop’s place—more so the lack thereof—in wrestling circles. Fourth Rope commissioner/AEW personality MVP seemed like he was making the call from inside the house. Recently, there’s been a lot of talk regarding how the WWE doesn’t curate storylines for Black male talent. He was a part of "The Hurt Business," an all-Black stable recently rebranded as "The Hurt Syndicate" in AEW.
Conclusion
Westside Gunn’s "Heels Have Eyes" event successfully brought together hip-hop and wrestling, showcasing the intersection of two cultures that have long been intertwined. The event’s success is a testament to the power of Westside Gunn’s vision and his ability to bring together different worlds under one roof.
FAQs
Q: What is "Heels Have Eyes"?
A: "Heels Have Eyes" is a wrestling promotion curated by Westside Gunn, featuring wrestling matches and musical performances.
Q: What is "Fourth Rope"?
A: "Fourth Rope" is a wrestling promotion aligned with Westside Gunn’s concert series "Heels Have Eyes" and his new album "Still Praying."
Q: What is the significance of the event?
A: The event marks the intersection of hip-hop and wrestling, highlighting the long-standing connection between the two cultures.
